Flying Bicycle??

One valuable thing we learned last week?

Jeremi's trick bike canNOT fly. Just ask him.

(Better yet, just get a good look at his arms and hands.)

Roy & Gwin 40 Years

I just returned from a weekend in St. Louis. Sunday marked 40 Years of marriage for my parents, and I was honored to be able to be there with them AND to wear mom's wedding dress!

I am so blessed to have godly parents that have passed down a rich heritage and set a fine example of matrimonial love. Thank you mom and dad for loving each other and giving Todd and me an example to follow. We love you dearly.

After church we had a celebration party for them in the fellowship hall. I was unable to show this dvd then, but here it is now for those who have asked.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Shoe Organizer

Today we overhauled Jeremi's room. You know, sorting through the closet, removing outgrown clothes; dumping out drawers and organizing, removing junk; sorting through his bookshelves, passing down books too juvenile. In the process he informed me that his 'shoe keeper' on the floor was bending his expensive size 10 shoes, and he couldn't use it anymore. Apparently we needed a new shoe keeper solution.

Now, I know that these can be purchased, and in fact, we have several in our house now, but isn't it much more fun to create your own?? I crafted this from material I had on hand and a cardboard box from the barn. It isn't perfect, but it is certainly functional--and free!



Overheard in the school/sewing room:

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"I'm creating. I learned it from my dad."

"Did Papa make things?"

"Oh no, my heavenly Father."

"Moooommmmmmm"

Just four Girls

That's right, just four girls. The boys left this morning to do a prophecy conference in Oklahoma, and I am flying out in the morning to St. Louis. But tonight--Girls' night. Amanda is coming over for our slumber party and will stay here while I am gone. Tonight we are having a tea party, and then we are going to sit and chat (probably silently as we sign). We will probably sing for a while around the piano, and then maybe pray a bit. I'm sure it will be the wee hours of the morning before we finally fall into bed, and we will enjoy every minute.

As I was setting the table this afternoon in preparation, I decided to choose the Old Country Roses Four Seasons cups. It is a rare collection that I have had for many years, and I don't use them much, but today seemed appropriate. There will be 4of us, and each of us is in a different season of life. Now, I am NOT saying that I am in the winter season while Bethani is in the spring. (insert laughter here) Nevertheless, we are each at different stages. I want God to help me to appreciate the different stages. There are some parts of each that are enjoyable and some not so enjoyable. Isn't it strange how many times we can only see the miserable parts of the stage that we are currently in, and look back and only see the fun parts of the past stages? We all know that there were difficult times then. We can look forward and dream about how it will be rosy one day... we know that there will be problems then too.

"Jesus, thank you for my family, my friends, and my friends that are like family. Please help me to enjoy the right now. Forgive me for wishing away the present in hopes of an elusive tomorrow. Help me to enjoy the present you have given me."

Nothing More Precious

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

III John 1:4

Crochet

Apparently one of Bethani's friends has taken up crochet, and suddenly Bethani really wanted to learn. I saw that Hobby Lobby had their yarn on sale for $.99 per skein, so she took some of her money, bought a skein and a 'stick.' I'm sorry to say that this skill skipped my generation. I have never even tried to crochet. I'm not sure I have the patience for it.



Wednesday afternoon on the way to my college class, Bethani sat in the back seat watching Tiffani crochet (who learned 5 years ago) and trying to copy her. It looked very awkward for her. After about 5 minutes, I realized that she was trying to copy her EXACTLY. "Oh, baby, Tiffani is left handed, try putting your 'stick' in your right hand." She switched hands and said, "Oh, that feels much better."

By the time my class was over 2 hours later, she was stitching a chain so fast, I couldn't keep up with her fingers! She is now working on a scarf, then she wants to make bookmarkers. Ater that...? Maybe she will feel ambitious and make a baby blanket for her new cousin.

For now it is serving as motivation for her to finish her school work early so she can sit and crochet. Our Friday night plans include: a simple dinner, fire, books, yarn, soft music, family.

Pencil Toppers

I just stumbled across a cute little idea for pencil toppers from Missy at Crafty Carnival She also has several really cool tutorials--one for a sweet tooth fairy pillow complete with pattern download! (I could have used that pattern about 11 years ago!)



Nevertheless, I modified the toppers for the current season, and whipped one up this morning. I often have little segments of time when my kids are taking tests or doing math problems or writing assignments. I find my hands fidgeting, needing something to make. (We mom's have an innate need to multi-task.) (Sure I can stitch while I read off my daughter's spelling words for her test!)

Now Bethani is making a list of the people in her life that need pencil toppers.